Le Petit is official parish theater

Wednesday

Jul 24, 2013 at 8:55 PMJul 25, 2013 at 7:13 PM

The Terrebonne Parish Council declared Le Petit Theatre de Terrebonne as the official community theater for the parish.

Chance RyanStaff Writer

The Terrebonne Parish Council declared Le Petit Theatre de Terrebonne as the official community theater for the parish.“Over the past 75 years they have entertained the residents in this area with many memorable things,” said Russell Hornsby, a council member and Le Petit board member, at Wednesday night’s council meeting. “Le Petit is the sole live production theater in Houma-Terrebonne on a regular basis, and it is with great honor that we acknowledge them as the official theater of Terrebonne.”Last month, to celebrate its 75th anniversary, members of the theater hosted an award brunch gala at the Houma Municipal Auditorium. The gala was to raise money for major improvements to the theater at 7829 Main St. and to reinforce its cultural significance within the community.The theater’s board of directors, headed by President Karen Schilling, has already consulted with an architect about renovating it to make room for more public restrooms, reconfigured seating and improved handicap access.Registered as a historic site, changes to Le Petit’s fašade are restricted. However, the interior has long needed improvements, board members have said, which are permissible despite its historic status.The theater can accommodate 125 guests. Renovations will increase seating by 20.Those changes are expected to cost about $500,000 — an amount that far exceeds money Le Petit has stashed away for the project over several years.“We truly believe all 25 board members and the theater itself contribute greatly to the quality of life here in Terrebonne Parish,” Schilling told the council.The little theater has a long-term, inexpensive lease arrangement with the parish, keeping it in a prime location in the heart of downtown Houma.“Without your support, we would not be able to do the things that we do,” Schilling told the council.

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